Wednesday, February 10, 2010

I want candy

So my last post was about temptation. Well, it hasn't been going away. I still want candy, and chocolate and cakes. I don't really understand it either. The first time we did this diet, I did not crave all the delicious things I was missing. So why am I this time around? I just don't get it.

I went to a networking event for work tonight. I ate before I went, so I wasn't hungry, but there was so much free food and alcohol. I did not eat or drink anything, but I didn't realize how hard business development and networking is without a stiff drink in one's hand. My how the conversations flow more freely when the inhibitions disappear. Not the case when one is standing within a circle of wine glasses, sipping tap water with a garnish of lemon. It really is a different world altogether. (and yes I did suck that lemon dry)

Aside from these delicious encounters, I have noticed something rather useful. Prices change dramatically in every store from week to week. Now, I always knew that prices change frequently, but I lost all excitement for romaine lettuce when I saw that it jumped from 77 cents a head to $1.68 the next week. Way to go supply and demand and all that economic crap. (insert thumbs down here)

It must be extremely difficult for people to gauge how much to spend each week. Or what happens when you are almost out of money for the month, or are waiting to get paid? Its not like the grocery store is going to offer you its best prices. You really do have to be on top of the flyers all the time. Not to mention having to pay a visit to the stores at least once a week. So who from the working poor really has the time to do that?

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The Working Poor Diet

For the entire month of February each of us will spend $80 a month on food and attempt to follow the Canada Food Guide.

The economic realityDespite being one of the wealthiest provinces in the country, Alberta`s minimum wage of $8.40 is the fourth lowest in the country and about 21% of working Albertans earn less than $12 per hour. The Working Poor Diet challenges Canadians to understand the difficulties low-income families face putting healthy food on the table each day.

Eating wellThe Canada Food Guide describes what amount of food people need and what type of food is part of a healthy eating pattern - Vegetables and Fruit, Grain Products, Milk and Alternatives, and Meat and Alternatives - plus a certain amount of added oils and fats.

Our goalThe key goal of the Working Poor Diet is to raise money for the Edmonton Food Bank. While the food bank receives many dry food donations, it needs money for operating costs such as rent, insurance and gas.

The rules1. No free food. This means participants can not eat sample food available at grocery stories or food offered by friends and family. All food consumed during the challenge must be paid for out of the $80 food allowance.2. Participants must follow the Canada Food Guide as closely as possible and eat a variety of meals.3. Participants are allowed to eat out, but they must deduct the cost of the meal from the $80 monthly food allowance.4. The costs of any beverages, including tea and coffee, must be deducted from the $80 monthly food allowance.5. Participants do not have to pay for salt, pepper, vinegar and dry spices - food items that have no nutritional value or ability to fill you up. Participants must pay for cooking oil and any condiments from the $80 monthly food allowance.6. The diet begins12:01 am, February 1 and runs through to February 28. 6:00 pm.